It’s been a very busy July for the American Red Cross, as the organization responded to eight home fires last weekend alone. Red Cross regional executive director Tammy Lee says grilling out is just one of the summertime activities that can lead to disaster. “If you’re too close to the house or thinking the fire is out when it’s not, or starting a fire when it’s windy,” Lee says. “Then there are the things we should be cautious of inside year-round, overloaded circuits, putting things on electric cords.”

Lee says the Red Cross typically responds to more storms in the summer, but this July, they’ve helped 101 people already, compared to 70 people a year ago. She says many of those calls have been house fires, which are usually more of an issue in the colder months, when furnaces and fireplaces are in use. “This time of year this year is just a particular reminder that we can have an uptick in home fires even in the middle of the summer,” she says.

Last weekend’s fires were reported in Appanoose, Wapello, Cass, Floyd, Poweshiek and Polk counties. She says anyone wishing to make a donation or to volunteer with the Red Cross can visit redcross-dot-org.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Atlantic report the arrest on Wednesday of a local man on drug & other charges. 53-year old Lafe Eichelberger, of Atlantic, faces charges that include Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver, Interference with Official Acts, OWI/1st offense, and Driving While License denied or revoked.

Also arrested Wednesday in Atlantic, was 54-year old Jim Findley, of Carson. Findley was charged with Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.

And this morning (Thursday), 38-year old Jeremy Lange, of Humboldt, was arrested in Atlantic for OWI/1st offense.  All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa – It’s a major milestone as the landmark civil rights law that ensures equal opportunity for people with disabilities celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was spearheaded by former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa and signed by former President George H.W. Bush on July 26 of 1990.

Becky Harker, executive director of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, says one of the biggest changes in the years since has been the accessibility of public buildings. “Restaurants and grocery stores, courthouses, post offices,” she points out. “And they’re also more accessible to our elders, to people with strollers, to people with other mobility issues. So it’s been good for everyone.”

A number of events to celebrate the ADA anniversary are planned across Iowa in the days ahead including in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Iowa City. While there has been much progress, Harker says there is plenty more to do over the next 25 years and that includes improving job opportunities for those with disabilities.

“We’d like to see more people employed in the community and not segregated,” she stresses. “And it’s going to take a lot of advocacy, a lot of action on the part of people who feel strongly about that.” Statewide, it’s estimated that nearly 17 percent of adults or around 376,000 people have some type of a disability.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Nearly two dozen people were busted early this (Thursday) morning in Council Bluffs,for being Minors in Possession of Alcohol. According to Bluffs Police, officers were called to 1931 23rd Avenue at around 1:15-a.m., to investigate a reported disturbance at an apartment. Upon arrival, Officers established there were numerous juveniles consuming alcohol at the residence.

Twenty minors were cited for Minor in Possession and Disorderly Conduct. 37-year old Angela Hughes, the apartment renter and mother of one of the minors, was present and cited for having a “Disorderly House.”

AMES, Iowa (AP) – A consultant’s report says an array of problems at Iowa State University’s Thielen Student Health Center raises risks for students and the university. Des Moines television station KCCI says that the report by Keeling & Associates cites poor leadership and student access, inadequate medical training and licensing, understaffing, poor record-keeping and low morale. The report says those problems threaten the center’s accreditation and make “student health care at Iowa State a source of increasing concern and serious complaints.”

The Health Center contracted for the review after the former director moved out of her position last September. Martino Harmon, associate vice president of student affairs and interim director of the center, acknowledged that the consultant identified “a lot of challenges.” The report called for changes in 15 areas, including staffing.

While final preparations for the 2015 Cass County Fair began Wednesday, here in Atlantic, many other activities are set for today. The schedule includes: weigh-in’s for the swine and rabbit check-in this morning; 4-H static exhibit judging and the Clover Kids showcase, will also take place this morning, along with the Meat Goat weigh-in and Dairy check-in. A Food Sale will get underway at 10-a.m. as well, at the Community Center next to the Fairgrounds.

The Food Stand is open from 6:30-a.m. until 10-p.m. each day of the Fair. Specials this Noon at the Food Stand include Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Pulled Pork and Ham sandwiches. Hot beef is sold nightly at the Food Stand beginning at 5-p.m., with Hot Pork sold only after 5-p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

This evening, the horse, poultry and sheep weigh-in’s will take place. The big event kicking-off the Fair, is the King and Queen Contest at 7:30-p.m., followed by Senior Recognition, at 8-p.m.  The nine Queen candidates include:

Jessica Aupperle-Wiota CAM FFA, Grant Guys & Gals; Sydney Steffen-Griswold Griswold FFA, Griswold Clubsters; Tierney Sothman – Cumberland CAM FFA, Union Leaders; Emily McDermott-Atlantic Atlantic FFA, Pymosa; Brooklyn Wahlert -Anita CAM FFA, Grant Guys & Gals; Mandi Backhaus-Griswold Griswold FFA, Griswold Clubsters; Alyssa Dean-Griswold Griswold FFA, Cass County Cowpokes; Haley Carlson-Atlantic Atlantic FFA, Pymosa; Katie Aupperle -Wiota CAM FFA, Benton Franklin

Your two King candidates this year are: Tyler Steele-Anita CAM FFA, Grant Guys & Gals; & Blake Miller-Atlantic CAM FFA, Grant Guys & Gals.

The Cass County Fair runs through July 28th, with no parking or admission fees. Check out the daily schedule and get more information about the Fair at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass And, follow the fair on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theCassCountyFair. Listen for our live broadcasts every day of the fair beginning on Friday, from 1-until 7-pm, here on KJAN.

Police in Red Oak arrested 55-year old Eric Eugene Thornton, Wednesday evening. Thornton (Whose address was not listed) was charged with Public Intoxication and held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.